Hydrogen fuel in the domestic maritime transport sector of Fiji : A Feasibility Study

Abstract: The maritime transport sector accounts for around 2.9% of the world’s anthropogenic emissions, a percentage that is growing yearly. Alternative fuels have come to be considered the necessary solution of the future, not least in island nations such as Fiji that are socially and economically dependent on sustainable maritime transport. Amongst these potential fuels is green hydrogen: a versatile, low-carbon fuel that causes no air pollution. This thesis investigates the feasibility of a future implementation of liquid hydrogen in combination with fuel cells in Fiji’s maritime transport sector through a literature study and mathematical analysis. The thesis provides an economical and technological suitability analysis as well as an investigation of the socio-political context through meetings with local stakeholders. The mathematical analysis focuses on the routes that are included in Fiji’s Government Shipping Franchise Scheme (GSFS), which is a governmentally funded scheme to subsidize uneconomical domestic routes in Fiji. The results indicate that liquid hydrogen would be suitable for 9 out of 10 GSFS routes and for most of the domestic maritime sector. The national funds intended for maritime transport would be sufficient for a proof-of-concept or a first small-scale implantation, but international financial support would be needed for a full implementation. There is a lack of data and research in the maritime sector of Fiji and a significant amount of additional research is necessary for a larger implementation. This paper is intended to be an elemental study modelling a foundation for further similar research.